Tobacco farmers bullish over 300 million kg target
From Page B2
◆ have been put under tobacco across the country, reflecting a 16 percent decrease from 53 307ha that had been put under the crop during the same period last year. A total of 18 875ha have so far been put under irrigation, compared to 18 365ha in the corresponding period last year.
TIMB also revealed that 26 058ha have been utilised under dry land cultivation for the 2023/2024 summer cropping season, compared to 34 942ha in the corresponding period last year. In Zimbabwe, tobacco is grown mainly in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Manicaland and in some parts of Masvingo province.
In a separate interview, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said the tobacco crop does not require much rainfall and this effectively means the 300 million kg projection could be achieved.
“Tobacco is a crop that does not need a lot of rain per se, so the projection can be achieved given the situation. Of course, for now, it may appear 50-50 but if we happen to have the rains, which are being predicted that they may fall, I want to believe the target can be met.
“We can have very few farmers but with a good crop, they can realise a good yield. We can have many people involved in poor agronomic practices, and still get lower kilogrammes. There are quite a number of other intervening factors,” he said.
“It’s not an issue about the number of growers, though to an extent, it may be. But what’s needed is expertise, when it is put into best use, what you are going to harvest from your hectare is the determining factor. If these people are going to adhere to good agronomic practices, it means you are going to have a better yield.”
Dr Makombe said examples of good agronomic practices are weeding, and application of chemicals at the right time and in right quantities to ensure the crop is free from weeds and pests.
He said when it comes to good agronomic practices, each crop has what is required for it to be healthy.
“You apply the required fertilisers; scout each and every time to see whether there is no infestation, be it of pesticides or whatever you call it. If you ignore those things, you will definitely lose as pests will be feeding on the crops,” said Dr Makombe.
“We are encouraging contractors to support the farmers right through to the crop’s life cycle. It doesn’t make sense to just provide fertiliser but you ought to support your farmer from the beginning right up to the end. You (contractors) should be assisting in terms of the quality of the crop and working capital.”
The bulk of the tobacco crop grown in Zimbabwe is produced through a contract farming arrangement.
As at December 1, 2023, TIMB indicated that 94 percent of the 112 087 registered growers for the 2023/2024 farming season were under the contract farming system.